Horse in Chinese / Japanese...

馬 is the character for horse in Chinese, old Korean, and Japanese.

If you were born in the year of the horse, you . . .


Are outgoing and active.
Don't give up easily.
Are known to have a bad temper.

See also our Chinese Zodiac page.

火馬 is the title, "Fire Horse".

火馬 is not a common title for calligraphy. You might be looking for 丙午, 43rd year of the sexagenary cycle (year of the Fire Horse, renowned for disasters and the birth of women destined to kill their husbands).

龍馬精神 is an old proverb that is used to wish someone good health and success combined as a great compliment.

The meaning is "The vigor and spirit of the legendary dragon-horse". These four characters are often accompanied by four more which mean, "...and the power and prestige of the tiger". Here we are just offering the first part which is considered the short version.

By giving a wall scroll like this to someone, you were either wishing or telling them that they have an amazing quality. There is also a suggestion of good health - at least anyone with the vigor of a dragon horse, would seem to also be in good health.

Note: In Japanese, this would be read as the spirit of 坂本龍馬 (Sakamoto_Ryōma), a beloved rebel who help abolish the old Japanese feudal system. This can be confusing, so I am declaring this proverb to be Chinese only.

This is an old proverb that is used to wish someone great health and success combined as a great compliment.

The meaning is "The vigor and spirit of the legendary dragon-horse, and the power and prestige of the tiger".

By giving a wall scroll like this to someone, you were either wishing or telling them that they have these qualities. There is also a suggestion of good health - at least anyone with the vigor of a dragon horse, would seem to also be in good health.

This literally means, "green plums and hobby-horse".

Figuratively, it means, "innocent children's games", "childhood sweethearts", or "a couple who grew up as childhood friends".

This phrase may sound a little strange as it's a kind of Chinese proverb or idiom. It makes much more sense in Chinese than English.

黑八馬 means "eight black horses" in Chinese.

黑八馬 is an unusual title for calligraphy, but several people have searched for it, so we added it.
Eight horses is a sign of success in business in Chinese culture.

The first character has the element of "horse" in it, and alone can mean "one who rides".

Together, these characters can be translated as "riding soldier" or "horseman soldier", which of course can also be translated as "knight".

Can also be translated as "cavalier."

See Also:  Warrior